The Camelot Betrayal (Camelot Rising #2) by Kiersten White

 This is the followup to The Guinevere Deception and the 2nd book in a trilogy. I now begin the very anxious and not altogether patient wait for the conclusion. 

In this outing as in many middle books of trilogies there is an affirmation of lessons learned in book 1 and a set up for the finale. Sometimes this can be sluggish even in a trilogy where the first and third books are amazing. That was not the case this time. Kiersten keep the fantastic ride going. 

After surviving her kidnapping and learning of the betrayal of someone she cared for Guinevere faces new challenges as she tackles being Queen. Some of them are "normal such as the feeding people and preparing a kingdom for the winter. Others however are just so far from "normal" they are downright magical (😉). 

As Guinevere continues to wonder about her missing memories one of them shows up in the flesh. Her friendship with Lancelot is tested. Her marriage and place as Queen presents challenges. There is a festival and an appearance by an enemy. Twists happen when and how you least expect and this is just a great story...I love well done retellings of old stories when done well (like Kiersten's The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein and  Pride by Ibi Zoboi) and this is absolutely well done. 

I don't want to spoil anyone who has yet to start reading so I am being careful and vague. But trust me. This is not your grandmother's King Arthur tale!!

(Finished November 21, 2020)

Light for the World to See: A Thousand Words on Race and Hope by Kwame Alexander

 I sell a lot of Kwame's books at work. This is the first one I have bought for myself, but not the last. I will be getting more, reading them, and then donating them to my teacher friends for their classroom libraries. 

This is a small in size but huge in power book. It is three poems. Three cries for justice. Three responses to the violence inflicted upon Black lives. Three reminders that we aren't living in a post racial society. Three arrows to the heart that land with so much strength. 

Names to say. 

Words to remind. 

BLACK LIVES MATTER. 

I will go back and read this often. 

(Finished November 12, 2020) 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

 Every time I had to put this down I was so sad. I totally loved this story. The way Victoria writes is so beautiful and draws you in. This story is haunting and gripping. We all want I think, to be seen and remembered. I mean ok we all want to be loved, but more than that is the desire to be seen and remembered, to leave our mark. 

When Addie doesn't want to be forced into marriage, doesn't want to give up herself and her freedom, she makes a mistake...one that has her living...and being forgotten. She sees amazing things, loves art and stories but there is one story that is missing...her own. She has lovers, both men and women but she doesn't have love...how can she when she is literally out of sight out of mind? 

Then she meets Henry....and everything changes...

It isn't just that she spends so much of the time in this book in my hometown, or that there is a cat named Book that make me love this...I was just sucked in and wrapped up in this fairytale and didn't want it to end. I was both lifted up and terribly gutted, which is the best kind of way to leave a story!!

I read and really liked A Dark Shade of Magic, which was my first Schwab book and I am not really sure why I haven't read the rest of the series...but I will...I must. 

But in the meantime, I have no hesitation telling you that you must read Addie's story!!!

(Finished November 12, 2020)

I Have Something to Tell You by Chasten Glezman Buttigieg

 You may recognize Chasten's last name because of his husband, Mayor of South Bend and one time Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg (Boot-edge-edge). But Chasten has his own voice and story and this is where he shares it. 

He shares his growing up years in a small very Republican area and the way people thought and talked about gay people and then the hard time he had when he realized he was and began to understand what that meant for him. He doesn't have the easiest go of it. He spent some time living in his car, was in an abusive relationship, and was sexually assaulted. But he also learned to speak German and against all the odds stacked against him he spends a year as an exchange student. He learned he was talented and found his people in the theater. And most importantly (sorry Chasten but this is what I found most important though I guess some would say it was meeting Peter) he learned he could speak to and listen to middle school kids, he could reach them and teach them and he was so good at it. Knowing what it was like to struggle and feel unsafe as he entered his teen years he was able to create a safe space for all his students. 

When he does meet Peter (he calls him Peter and not Pete) and joins him on the campaign trail this part of his story helps him to do something amazing...Besides their relationship being a beacon of hope to young people like my son, that being gay isn't a hinderance to pursuing ones dreams, he was able to really connect with people, people who had pain of all kinds, and really listen to them, and to make them know they were being heard. He brought politics back to being about people and this was one of the most beautiful and loving things he could have possibly done. And if I am reading him correctly it is what he misses about the end of the campaign and what he saw and felt lacking in the discourse of the day. He understands the burden medical bills and weighing making health care choices with choices about which other bills to pay including food. He understands the hardship student debts place on people. He understands that not everyone is safe or has the same freedoms. And he understands that there are things he doesn't yet or may never fully understand but he knows he can listen and empathize and learn and grow. 

And yes his love story with Peter is covered and it is the exact meet-cute you want it to be. 

I feel like I was part of a conversation with someone with a heart and story he wanted to share. 

(Finished October 31, 2020)